NY Times/CBS News Poll: Wide Support For Government-Run Option Competing With Private Insurers

New York Times:

Americans overwhelmingly support substantial changes to the health care system and are strongly behind one of the most contentious proposals Congress is considering, a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[DLazar1]

My Seven Point plan for Universal Health Care:
1. Mandate everyone have it from cradle to grave - and everyone pays for it out of pocket with low income exceptions. Fines for noncompliance.
2. Disban Medicare and Medicaid
3. No more free ride with Corporate or Union Insurance
4. Keep it private - let Counties or cities contract insurance companies and prices with private insurers just like they do for your gas and electric providers.
5. No more lawsuits for the communal good - to keep costs down - there could be regulatory boards for patient safety, that levy fines and regulate hosptials and health professionals who are negligent with all fines going back into the system. (The cost of frivolous lawsuits can not continue)
6. Mandate add on insurance for visitors to the United States (it would be just dollars) in air fare.
7. No provision for illegal visitors to the United States (hospitals still can't deny them service) but allow hospitals to charge a hospital fee to illegals who go to Emergency Rooms for non emergency services. WE ALL PAY A HUGE PRICE for the uninsured using hospitals like a doctors office. An Emergency room costs around 1500 dollars an hour . . . and there are Urgent Care facilities everywhere that charge 60-100 dollars for a visit and are open long hours 6 days a week to remove the pressure from Hospitals . . . but many uninsured want to go to the hospital for Free .

[nomorefed]

If the truth were being reported we'd be having riots in the streets. And meanwhile the top execs in banks and brokeragesa that caused such a mess are STILL employed and making millions while laying off THOUSANDS of people that actually do work. If you know anyone in banking that's still employed, odds are they are doing the work of three people so the top execs can show 'savings' and contineu collecting mega-incomes.

good articles: href=".http://www.bit.ly/12NCJR>recommended reading

[DLazar1]

Unless you own stock in a company that pays big salaries to their Exec's . . . what business is it of yours except when they decided to start bailing these companies out . .. which was a mistake. Executive Salaries are subject to their Board of Governance and their shareholders. Not you. And if the real Truth were known . . . Government regulation that mandated low income housing loans which broke every banking rule for fiscal responsibility IS what started the unraveling of the financial markets. People were getting loans even when it was clear to any 6th grader that they had no way of paying for these loans . . . just to get a Good government rating. Guess which bank got the best rating under the Clinton low income housing proviso in the Community Reinvestment Act that Clinton signed . . . Washington Mutual . . . which went belly up and no longer exists . . . it's Chase now. You are arguing something based on bad information.

[Mike Keough]

Of course we want a single payer system. We are not stupid. We want the biggest bang for our back.
Just what exactly is the system that lawmakers are covered by? We need to extend that same system to pick up the rest of us. Give Dodds, Cantor, and barney Frank the exact same coverage as the rest of us and watch him fly to a private insurer. Whatever their system is, it should be expanded to include all of us. Period. Expose them for what they are... bought and sold. As to the talking heads, who say that the surveys say, that the American People do not want single payer, we all know that it's how you ask the question. Self interest trumps the Public Good every damned time.

[Guitanguran]

If you think you're going to get the same kind of healthcare deal as your modern-day Washington DC aristocracy, you are laboring under a huge misconception.

You ( and I, for that matter) have been voting in the same bums every election cycle because they're 'your guys' or they're 'my guys' and we want to 'crush' those devil-worshippers on the other side of the so-called political spectrum.

Its what they want. Its all about control. The "D" or the "R" is irrelevant.

Now, who do you want to have that control, you...or them?

[DLazar1]

The system the Gov. has for Gov. employees feeds off the private secter. They have access to everything with complete choice of doctor, hospital. Certainly not what we'll get (and at least they won't either) with Obama's Universal health care. Canada once had a two tier system . . . and the government plan destroyed the private one. They can not exist separately at the same time. This has been proven already from other countries. We have to have Universal Health Care that stays private. It CAN BE DONE. But you can't have some people getting a 20,000 dollar gift from their union or employer and the rest of us paying into a Government plan. It won't work. And frankly, why should they get this free gift without being taxed on it? You can't have it both ways. We should move into a government mandated universal health care system that remains private. It can be done. The United States would be the first to do such a plan . . . but I still think it can be done. Just mandate that counties get bids for private insurance, no more lawsuits, we can't insure for free 28 million illegals - and make everyone pay for it with exemptions for low income. Can we trust the Government to completely run our health care system. After all, look what they have done with our public school systems, social security, medicare, Fannie and Freddie, the War in Iraq, our border problems!

[PaxEterna]

There isn't a single worthwhile or even superficial discussion being had about this issue by MSM.
Check out CNN Home Page and ABC News for starters.

The American people want SINGLE PAYER, and the lawmakers and power elites, along with the media, are not covering this issue.

SIGN BERNIE SANDERS PETITION ON LINE FOR SINGLE PAYER.

MARCH ON DC JUNE 25th, or take a sick day in solidarity.

JUST SAY NO to paying all your premiums and medical bills, and send them to OBAMA.

IT IS TIME TO TAKE THE PROFITEERS AND THE PROFITEERING OUT OF PATIENT CARE.

AND THAT MEANS THAT CERTAIN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, ALONG WITH INSURERS-GREEDY PHARMA- PROFITEERING HOSPITALS AND DOCS- NEED TO GO AWAY, NOW.

Anyone who thinks that the American people 1) don't deserve or 2) won't pay for a single payer system is NOT LISTENING. We know we are 1) already paying for our corrupt politicians to enjoy worry free medical care and 2) paying for the uninsured and underinsured with sky-high premiums, "self-rationing" because we can't afford the co-pays, the exams, and the drugs that the medical industry are always pushing on us. How could it get any worse for us? They probably just want us all to die.

It's time to end the charade once and for all.

March, write, telephone, and DON'T PAY. Then maybe we can have a meaningful conversation.

[Guitanguran]

What I find ironic is you've beaten up Congress about their cozy deal with insurance "profiteers" and yet you want to go to a single payer system where the government is 100% in charge.

What kind of angels are you going find in government that will 'do the right thing', especially since you won't have any choice on who is running things?

Where I come from we send out the guys with white jackets and butterfly nets when people start talking that way(well OK, that wasn't fair, but your position is far-fetched)

[DontJustFollow]

when will Obama say how he is going to pay for this ?

EVERYONE loves a program if there is something in it for them - but the hard cold reality is that there is no free lunch.

Everything the government takes over faulters and gobbles up money in ever increasing amounts. We have NEVER seen a program that runs smoothly and costs less as time goes by -

What is going to happen when doctors opt out? What is going to happen when fewer and fewer students enter med school because it no longer makes financial sense?

How is the government doing with social security ? How long before socialized medicine meets the same fate?

[JuliaRain]

Just admit that you don't think your fellow citizens deserve health care, okay? Cut the talking points fore play and let's get down to business.

Why do you think other Americans don't deserve quality health care?

The government provides you protection with its miliatry, something that all Americans helped pay for. Perhaps you think it would also be a great idea to dismantle the military?

[Guitanguran]

Providing for the common defense is in the Constitution.

Health care as a 'right' is not. The Constitution makes a way for things like universal healthcare or anything else to be added or taken away to make it a right, or to prohibit. Take Prohibition itself. An amendment was passed to make alcohol illegal, and another one to rescind it. There's a process to make those kind of fundamental changes to our country, and we should be following it.

The debate is NOT about what people do or don't deserve, its how to do it and how we pay for it. By law, no one, not even a non-citizen, can be turned away from getting medical care, irrespective of their ability to pay. In that way everyone 'gets' healthcare.

I want a new car. I may even deserve one, but I still have to make sure I can pay for it, right?

[DLazar1]

It's true . . . Obama's Health Plan can not be paid for as it stands. Not without taxing out those who now get their health care for free with their employer or union. They will be taxed on it like any normal gift. As they probably should. And that will begin the destruction of private plans. There are ways to bring down costs. Stop all lawsuits, would have the biggest cost reduction. In california they mandated Auto Insurance and the price of car insurance rose sharply. It never reduced the cost even with more cars insured and heavy fines for those caught without it. Mainly because having insurance only made lawsuits rise to its highest level in California ever. I don't see Universal Health Care without mandating it cradle to grave - same system for all - everyone pays - stop lawsuits - and keep it private in pools of insured - mandate visitors insurance tacked to their airfare - and no free insurance for illegals. Sorry.

[tomasedison]

WHEN YOU GET SCARED ENOUGH YOU'LL VOTE GOP AGAIN !

THAT'S WHY THE GOP WORKS SO HARD TO SCARE YOU.

[Barbara Ann 1]

Medicare has been around for a long time. I haven't heard anyone wanting to give it back.
Also, my insurance company has the last word in what brands of prescriptions I can take. They also have to approve many procedures. So what do you call that.

I want the same heath care that the Congreess and the Senate has. They are no better then me.
Matter of fact I'm better then they are. I'm not a crook.

[Guitanguran]

When you're in over your head with a loan-shark, you may not have the opportunity to give it back even if you wanted to.

In terms of Medicare, its on its way to bankruptcy with unfunded obligations in the trillions. I don't know about you, but I can't imagine a trillion of anything, much less multiple trillions.

Even with that, we want to add more trillions in expense? Who's going to pay for it, and how?

The Congressional Budget Office advises that even with the current proposed plan, millions will not be covered.

What?

It would seem that for that kind of money everyone should be covered.

[DLazar1]

Don't be silly. . We are headed for Canadian type health care. And the Canadians are worried sick we will do it because they won't have anywhere to go for help when they are DYING. We should start with the premise that our health care system IS a problem. And work in an honest and open way for the best American solutions. We can craft a unique health care system that remains the best in the world and still insure everyone. I have to believe that. But the Obama plan IS THE CANADIAN PLAN. To say otherwise, is just being silly.

[Happyexpat]

The oft-expressed fear that a single payer system would automatically result in inferior health care is absurd and the result of buying into the fear-mongering tactics of the right. I live in a single payer country and my health care is equal to and in some cases superior to that which I had in the States. I spent my childhood hiding canned spinach in the woods because I believed the commies were going to drop a bomb any minute. Now when the gov't tells me to be very afraid I follow the money. And guess what? I always find it.

[dwright]

I bet some one in the Bush admin had a lot of stock in the manufacturer of duct tape.

[CanadianBeef]

You've put your finger on it -- the connection between the Red Scare and the Public Option scare.
The Republicans, and many Democrats, seem to still be fighting the Cold War against the Commies. It's paranoia, pure and simple. I, too, live in a single-payer country, and the stuff I hear from single-payer opponents in America is not only wrong on the facts, it's downright bizarre.
Single-payer not only covers everyone, it removes the health-care expense from employers, making their products more competitive abroad. Right-wingers should LOVE that, but they're too afraid of their own government.

[Guitanguran]

Wait times on surgeries like hip replacement, heart bypass, etc?

Just asking,

[JuliaRain]

What are the wait times to get approval from your insurance company for such procedures? And what is the deducible?

[DLazar1]

You must be young and healthy. These single payer government plans around the world are very unfriendly to the ill and the elderly. Or in other words, those who actually use the system.

[sarabono]

Just read an analysis of this Poll at Hot Air which pointed out that this NYT/CBS News Poll is seriously flawed in its methodology and thus conclusions. Sort of a case of BS in then BS out. Why would the Times tarnish there reputation with a Poll using such flawed methodology? Are they just trying to push there own point of view as the have been caught doing in the past? If so, no wonder they are going broke.

[OldFreddie]

You are assuming that they have a reputation left to tarnish. Their polls always oversample Democrats, but of course you have to read the fine print. I usually pay attention only to Rasmussen, as he was the closest in polling for the GE, and his questions are usually pretty clean and not worded to get a desired response.

[DontJustFollow]

The NYT will produce a story to support the agenda of anyone that pays them -

Last week Obama came out made a statement in huge support of the NYT - - - this week we have a story supporting his health care scheme - - -

you are all smart right? it does not take a genius to figure it out . . .

[ErnestineBass]

Hot Air.com.....LMAO!!!

Sorry, but the name of that site cracks me up.

It's just so...apropos.

[dwright]

all media and polling su.cks since they don't reach so many people on cell phones etc.

Our media su.cks as well - they have been allowed to "control" the message and right now it is the ultra- conservative one.

look at this site and do a little research, watch the movie it is clear what is taking place is our country and why we are stumbling around wondering what the truth really is.

http://www.orwellrollsinhisgrave.com/

[Pigeon2]

NoBama has them in his back pocket, just like every other media source except FOX

[Martampa]

Do you think these bought and paid for politicians give a d*^n what the Americans what or need. As long as they get their's to hell with everybody else. It is disgusting!

[PhilipTaylor]

Dear President Obama,

We FOUND the $TRILLION in SAVINGS we needed!

It seems the Budget Office did their $1 Trillion Short Fall Estimate assuming NO PUBLIC OPTION in their calculations. Amazing!

Insurance Companies charge 1,500% more for Administrative FEES than Medicare, so
there is at least a $Trillion Dollars in Savings with the Competition created using the Public Option.

The Public Option will be great for controlling the SINGLE-PROF1TEER Insurers!

The Public Option is fully Funded and ready SO YOU can keep YOUR PROMISES to AMERICANS!

Sincerely, The CBO Checker

P.S.:

2.1% Administrative Fees for Medicare
30% Administrative Fees for Insurance Companies

So Insurance Companies charge 15 TIMES or 1,500% more than Medicare, or 27.9% MORE and that is $Trillions!

[DLazar1]

30% Administrative Fees for Insurance Companies . . . mainly for a team of lawyers to ward off frivolous lawsuits. Seriously.

[somsoc]

Of course Americans favor a government run single payor health care plan as opposed to a plan run by HMO's and insurance bureaucrats that work to deny coverage and get paid for finding loop-holes for doing so. HMO's and Insurance plans are bleeding American's dry, they are litterally stealing from our nation and lying about what they are doing. They make the robber barons look like robin hood, they steal from the poor and the middle class, deny them health care and pay off the wealthy. This is criminal fraud in its worst form and it has been sanctioned by Congress and by, in particular the GOP, for 50 yrs. IT MUST STOP NOW.

[rj0q1b]

Oh

[GoodFeathers]

We Americans need an Iranian style demonstrat­ion/protes­t if we are ever going to get a government run, single payer and tax payer subsidized health insurance.

[LemonMeringue]

Thursday in D.C.

Let's see if the media shows up to cover it.

[ErnestineBass]

We may have to twitter it.

[Pigeon2]

Sorry..Can`t make it..I have a JOB

[jennbeez]

Either all members of congress lose their taxpayer paid health plans or we gain the same plan they currently have. i don't care which.

[hark]

And we accomplish this, how?

[smileatfear]

By being engaged and active citizens and not sitting on our hands waiting for somebody else to do it.

[petef59]

I had a Federal workers Blue cROSS plan---they stonewall and limit contractual services,too. ALL the profit motive needs to be removed. Maybe, this will do the trick: by expanding the public option the private insurers will be forced to compete (novel frickin idea--where are all the 'competition" guru Republicans?).

[DLazar1]

The Government has a private plan.

[periscope]

America will never have universal, single-payer healthcare unless the American people rise up and demand it. The Congress has long been owned and operated by the lobbyists. Obama can't get them to vote for a public healthcare program.
Americans have to rise up and demonstrate. If Iranians can do it at the risk of their lives, so can we.

[hark]

Exactly.

Americans are too comfortable with their lives, even though they've had trillions ripped out from under them and transferred to the rich. Just proves that once you've got a roof over your head and American Idol on the tube, you're satisfied with the world.

Hopeless. More Americans protested for the Iranians than they did for health care.

[DontJustFollow]

maybe it is because 85% of americans are happy with their health insurance???